Sky's Europe-wide Sony deal includes 4K movies

Sky has signed a pan-European deal with Sony Pictures, giving the pay-TV provider exclusive broadcast rights to the studio's movies.

The move will mean the likes of the upcoming Ghostbusters and 2017's Spider-Man: Homecoming will be seen on Sky "only a few months after they have been released in cinemas". Sky will also have an exclusivity window on Sony's movies for "over a year", before they appear on any other provider's services.

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Along with all new and future Sony releases, Sky will also get "UHD productions", meaning 4K cinema for its subscribers. Sky says this will "reinforce its position as the market-leading movies service for customers in each of its territories."

The deal extends to the UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria, and Italy, and covers both subscription and "transactional" movie services – that is, content served up as part of a Sky Movies package or sold on a pay-per-view or other individual screening basis. "Anyone who uses Sky's transactional movie services across Europe - Sky Store, Sky Select and Sky Primafila - will also be able to rent and, where available, buy Sony's new releases and classic titles," Sky said in its announcement. "Customers of Sky's streaming services, NOW TV and Sky Online, can also watch Sony's films live and on demand."

The deal is particularly notable as it marks the first time a major Hollywood studio has inked such a far-reaching deal – both geographically speaking and in volume of content – with a single European provider. The actual length of the partnership is curiously absent from the announcement though, referred to only as "multi-year".

The biggest ramification is likely to be felt by streaming services. Although the likes of Netflix and Amazon Prime have grown significantly in recent years, the Sky/Sony partnership means they will be just as locked out as rival satellite or cable television providers, with no Sony-produced film joining their catalogues for well over a year after cinema release.

For the foreseeable future, if you want to see a Sony movie in the comfort of your own home, your only option is a Sky subscription.